• Relapsed/refractory acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) (previous treatment should have included a retinoid and chemotherapy)

characterised by the presence of the t(15;17) translocation and/or the presence of the promyelocytic leukaemia/retinoic-acid-receptor-alpha (PML/RAR-alpha) gene.

The response rate of other acute myelogenous leukaemia subtypes to arsenic trioxide has not been examined.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

TRISENOX must be administered under the supervision of a physician who is experienced in the management of acute leukaemias, and the special monitoring procedures described in section 4.4 must be followed.

TRISENOX must be administered intravenously at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day, given daily until complete remission is achieved. If complete remission has not occurred by day 60, dosing must be discontinued.

Consolidation schedule

TRISENOX must be administered intravenously at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day, 5 days per week. Treatment should be continued for 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off, for a total of 4 cycles.

Relapsed/refractory acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)

Induction treatment schedule

TRISENOX must be administered intravenously at a fixed dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day given daily until complete remission is achieved (less than 5% blasts present in cellular bone marrow with no evidence of leukaemic cells). If complete remission has not occurred by day 50, dosing must be discontinued.

Consolidation schedule

Consolidation treatment must begin 3 to 4 weeks after completion of induction therapy. TRISENOX is to be administered intravenously at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day for 25 doses given 5 days per week, followed by 2 days interruption, repeated for 5 weeks.

Dose delay, modification and reinitiation

Treatment with TRISENOX must be temporarily interrupted before the scheduled end of therapy at any time that a toxicity grade 3 or greater on the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria is observed and judged to be possibly related to TRISENOX treatment. Patients who experience such reactions that are considered TRISENOX related must resume treatment only after resolution of the toxic event or after recovery to baseline status of the abnormality that prompted the interruption. In such cases, treatment must resume at 50% of the preceding daily dose. If the toxic event does not recur within 7 days of restarting treatment at the reduced dose, the daily dose can be escalated back to 100% of the original dose. Patients who experience a recurrence of toxicity must be removed from treatment.

For ECG, electrolytes abnormalities and hepatotoxicity see section 4.4.

Special populations

Hepatic impairment

Since no data are available across all hepatic impairment groups and hepatotoxic effects may occur during the treatment with TRISENOX, caution is advised in the use of TRISENOX in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 4.4 and 4.8).

Renal impairment

Since no data are available across all renal impairment groups, caution is advised in the use of TRISENOX in patients with renal impairment.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of TRISENOX in children aged up to 17 years has not been established. Currently available data for children aged 5 to 16 years are described in section 5.1 but no recommendation on a posology can be made. No data are available for children under 5 years.

Method of administration

TRISENOX must be administered intravenously over 1-2 hours. The infusion duration may be extended up to 4 hours if vasomotor reactions are observed. A central venous catheter is not required. Patients must be hospitalised at the beginning of treatment due to symptoms of disease and to ensure adequate monitoring.

For instructions on preparation of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Clinically unstable APL patients are especially at risk and will require more frequent monitoring of electrolyte and glycaemia levels as well as more frequent haematologic, hepatic, renal and coagulation parameter tests.

Leukocyte activation syndrome (APL differentiation syndrome)

27 % of patients with APL, in the relapsed/refractory setting, treated with arsenic trioxide have experienced symptoms similar to a syndrome called the retinoic-acid-acute promyelocytic leukaemia (RA-APL) or APL differentiation syndrome, characterised by fever, dyspnoea, weight gain, pulmonary infiltrates and pleural or pericardial effusions, with or without leukocytosis. This syndrome can be fatal. In newly diagnosed APL patients treated with arsenic trioxide and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), APL differentiation syndrome was observed in 19 % including 5 severe cases. At the first signs that could suggest the syndrome (unexplained fever, dyspnoea and/or weight gain, abnormal chest auscultatory findings or radiographic abnormalities), treatment with TRISENOX must be temporarily discontinued and high-dose steroids (dexamethasone 10 mg intravenously twice a day) must be immediately initiated, irrespective of the leukocyte count and continued for at least 3 days or longer until signs and symptoms have abated. If clinically justified/required, concomitant diuretic therapy is also recommended. The majority of patients do not require permanent termination of TRISENOX therapy during treatment of the APL differentiation syndrome. As soon as signs and symptoms have subsided, treatment with TRISENOX can be resumed at 50 % of the previous dose during the first 7 days. Thereafter, in the absence of worsening of the previous toxicity, TRISENOX might be resumed at full dosage. In the case of the reappearance of symptoms TRISENOX should be reduced to the previous dosage. In order to prevent the development of the APL differentiation syndrome during induction treatment, prednisone (0.5 mg/kg body weight per day throughout induction treatment) may be administered from day 1 of TRISENOX application to the end of induction therapy in APL patients. It is recommended that chemotherapy not be added to treatment with steroids since there is no experience with administration of both steroids and chemotherapy during treatment of the leukocyte activation syndrome due to TRISENOX. Post-marketing experience suggests that a similar syndrome may occur in patients with other types of malignancy. Monitoring and management for these patients should be as described above.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities

Arsenic trioxide can cause QT interval prolongation and complete atrioventricular block. QT prolongation can lead to a torsade de pointes-type ventricular arrhythmia, which can be fatal. Previous treatment with anthracyclines may increase the risk of QT prolongation. The risk of torsade de pointes is related to the extent of QT prolongation, concomitant administration of QT prolonging medicinal products (such as class Ia and III antiarrythmics (e.g. quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide), antipsychotics (e.g. thioridazine), antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), some macrolides (e.g. erythromycin), some antihistamines (e.g. terfenadine and astemizole), some quinolone antibiotics (e.g. sparfloxacin), and other individual medicinal products known to increase QT interval (e.g. cisapride)), a history of torsade de pointes, pre-existing QT interval prolongation, congestive heart failure, administration of potassium-wasting diuretics, amphotericin B or other conditions that result in hypokalemia or hypomagnesaemia. In clinical trials, in the relapsed/refractory setting, 40% of patients treated with TRISENOX experienced at least one QT corrected (QTc) interval prolongation greater than 500 msec. Prolongation of the QTc was observed between 1 and 5 weeks after TRISENOX infusion, and then returned to baseline by the end of 8 weeks after TRISENOX infusion. One patient (receiving multiple, concomitant medicinal products, including amphotericin B) had asymptomatic torsade de pointes during induction therapy for relapsed APL with arsenic trioxide. In newly diagnosed APL patients 15.6 % showed QTc prolongation with arsenic trioxide in combination with ATRA (see section 4.8). In one newly diagnosed patient induction treatment was terminated because of severe prolongation of the QTc interval and electrolyte abnormalities on day 3 of induction treatment.

ECG and electrolyte monitoring recommendations

Prior to initiating therapy with TRISENOX, a 12-lead ECG must be performed and serum electrolytes (potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and creatinine must be assessed; preexisting electrolyte abnormalities must be corrected and, if possible, medicinal products that are known to prolong the QT interval must be discontinued. Patients with risk factors of QTc prolongation or risk factors of torsade de pointes should be monitored with continuous cardiac monitoring (ECG). For QTc greater than 500 msec, corrective measures must be completed and the QTc reassessed with serial ECGs and, if available, a specialist advice could be sought prior to considering using TRISENOX. During therapy with TRISENOX, potassium concentrations must be kept above 4 mEq/l and magnesium concentrations must be kept above 1.8 mg/dl. Patients who reach an absolute QT interval value > 500 msec must be reassessed and immediate action must be taken to correct concomitant risk factors, if any, while the risk/benefit of continuing versus suspending TRISENOX therapy must be considered. If syncope, rapid or irregular heartbeat develops, the patient must be hospitalised and monitored continuously, serum electrolytes must be assessed, TRISENOX therapy must be temporarily discontinued until the QTc interval regresses to below 460 msec, electrolyte abnormalities are corrected, and the syncope and irregular heartbeat cease. After recovery, treatment should be resumed at 50 % of the preceding daily dose. If QTc prolongation does not recur within 7 days of restarting treatment at the reduced dose, treatment with TRISENOX can be resumed at 0.11 mg/kg body weight per day for a second week. The daily dose can be escalated back to 100 % of the original dose if no prolongation occurs. There are no data on the effect of arsenic trioxide on the QTc interval during the infusion. Electrocardiograms must be obtained twice weekly, and more frequently for clinically unstable patients, during induction and consolidation.

Hepatotoxicity (grade 3 or greater)

In newly diagnosed patients with low to intermediate risk APL 63.2 % developed grade 3 or 4 hepatic toxic effects during induction or consolidation treatment with arsenic trioxide in combination with ATRA (see section 4.8). However, toxic effects resolved with temporary discontinuation of either arsenic trioxide, ATRA or both. Treatment with TRISENOX must be discontinued before the scheduled end of therapy at any time that a hepatotoxicity grade 3 or greater on the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria is observed. As soon as bilirubin and/or SGOT and/or alkaline phosphatase are decreased to below 4 times the normal upper level, treatment with TRISENOX should be resumed at 50 % of the previous dose during the first 7 days. Thereafter, in absence of worsening of the previous toxicity, TRISENOX should be resumed at full dosage. In case of reappearance of hepatotoxicity, TRISENOX must be permanently discontinued.

Dose delay and modification

Treatment with TRISENOX must be temporarily interrupted before the scheduled end of therapy at any time that a toxicity grade 3 or greater on the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria is observed and judged to be possibly related to TRISENOX treatment. (see section 4.2)

Laboratory tests

The patient's electrolyte and glycaemia levels, as well as haematologic, hepatic, renal and coagulation parameter tests must be monitored at least twice weekly, and more frequently for clinically unstable patients during the induction phase and at least weekly during the consolidation phase.

Renal impairment

Since no data are available across all renal impairment groups, caution is advised in the use of TRISENOX in patients with renal impairment. The experience in patients with severe renal impairment is insufficient to determine if dose adjustment is required.

The use of TRISENOX in patients on dialysis has not been studied.

Hepatic impairment

Since no data are available across all hepatic impairment groups and hepatotoxic effects may occur during the treatment with arsenic trioxide caution is advised in the use of TRISENOX in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 4.4 on hepatotoxicity and section 4.8). The experience in patients with severe hepatic impairment is insufficient to determine if dose adjustment is required.

Elderly

There is limited clinical data on the use of TRISENOX in the elderly population. Caution is needed in these patients.

Hyperleukocytosis

Treatment with arsenic trioxide has been associated with the development of hyperleukocytosis (≥ 10 x 103/μl) in some relapsed/refractory APL patients. There did not appear to be a relationship between baseline white blood cell (WBC) counts and development of hyperleukocytosis nor did there appear to be a correlation between baseline WBC count and peak WBC counts. Hyperleukocytosis was never treated with additional chemotherapy and resolved on continuation of TRISENOX. WBC counts during consolidation were not as high as during induction treatment and were < 10 x 103/μl, except in one patient who had a WBC count of 22 x 103/μl during consolidation. Twenty relapsed/refractory APL patients (50 %) experienced leukocytosis; however, in all these patients, the WBC count was declining or had normalized by the time of bone marrow remission and cytotoxic chemotherapy or leukopheresis was not required. In newly diagnosed patients with low to intermediate risk APL leukocytosis developed during induction therapy in 35 of 74 (47 %) patients (see section 4.8). However all cases were successfully managed with hydroxyurea therapy.

In newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory APL patients who develop sustained leukocytosis after initiation of therapy, hydroxyurea should be administered. Hydroxyurea should be continued at a given dose to keep the white blood cell count ≤ 10 x 103/μl and subsequently tapered.

Table 1 Recommendation for initiation of hydroxyurea

WBC

Hydroxyurea

10–50 x 103/µl

500 mg four times a day

> 50 x 103/µl

1000 mg four times a day

Development of second primary malignancies

The active ingredient of TRISENOX, arsenic trioxide, is a human carcinogen. Monitor patients for the development of second primary malignancies.

Encephalopathy

Cases of encephalopathy were reported with treatment with arsenic trioxide. Wernicke encephalopathy after arsenic trioxide treatment was reported in patients with vitamin B1 deficiency. Patients at risk of B1 deficiency should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of encephalopathy after arsenic trioxide initiation. Some cases recovered with vitamin B1 supplementation.

Excipient with known effect

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No formal assessments of pharmacokinetic interactions between TRISENOX and other therapeutic medicinal products have been conducted.

QT/QTc prolongation is expected during treatment with arsenic trioxide, and torsade de pointes and complete heart block have been reported. Patients who are receiving, or who have received, medicinal products known to cause hypokalemia or hypomagnesaemia, such as diuretics or amphotericin B, may be at higher risk for torsade de pointes. Caution is advised when TRISENOX is co-administered with other medicinal products known to cause QT/QTc interval prolongation such as macrolide antibiotics, the antipsychotic thioridazine, or medicinal products known to cause hypokalemia or hypomagnesaemia. Additional information about QT prolonging medicinal agents, is provided in section 4.4.

Medicinal products known to cause hepatotoxic effects

Hepatotoxic effects may occur during the treatment with arsenic trioxide, caution is advised when TRISENOX is co-administered with other medicinal products known to cause hepatotoxic effects (see section 4.4 and 4.8).

Other antileukaemic medicinal products

The influence of TRISENOX on the efficacy of other antileukaemic medicinal products is unknown.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Contraception in males and females

Women of childbearing potential and men must use effective contraception during treatment with TRISENOX.

Pregnancy

Arsenic trioxide has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic in animal studies (see section 5.3). There are no studies in pregnant women using TRISENOX. If this medicinal product is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this product, the patient must be informed of the potential harm to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

Arsenic is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breast-feeding infants and children from TRISENOX, breast-feeding must be discontinued prior to and throughout administration.

Fertility

No clinical or non-clinical fertility studies have been conducted with TRISENOX.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

TRISENOX has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

In general, treatment-emergent adverse events tended to decrease over time, in relapsed/refractory APL patients perhaps accounted for by amelioration of the underlying disease process. Patients tended to tolerate consolidation and maintenance treatment with less toxicity than in induction. This is probably due to the confounding of adverse events by the uncontrolled disease process early on in the treatment course and the myriad concomitant medicinal products required to control symptoms and morbidity.

The following undesirable effects have been reported in the APL0406 study in newly diagnosed patients and in clinical trials and/or post-marketing experience in relapsed/refractory APL patients. Undesirable effects are listed in table 2 below as MedDRA preferred term by system organ class and frequencies observed during TRISENOX clinical trials in 52 patients with refractory/relapsed APL. Frequencies are defined as: (very common ≥ 1/10), (common ≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), (uncommon ≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), not known (cannot be estimated from available data).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 2

All grades

Grades ≥ 3

Infections and infestations

Herpes zoster

Common

Not known

Sepsis

Not known

Not known

Pneumonia

Not known

Not known

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile neutropenia

Common

Common

Leukocytosis

Common

Common

Neutropenia

Common

Common

Pancytopenia

Common

Common

Thrombocytopenia

Common

Common

Anaemia

Common

Not known

Leukopenia

Not known

Not known

Lymphopenia

Not known

Not known

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Hyperglycaemia

Very Common

Very Common

Hypokalaemia

Very Common

Very Common

Hypomagnesaemia

Very Common

Common

Hypernatraemia

Common

Common

Ketoacidosis

Common

Common

Hypermagnesaemia

Common

Not known

Dehydration

Not known

Not known

Fluid retention

Not known

Not known

Psychiatric disorders

Confusional state

Not known

Not known

Nervous system disorders

Paraesthesia

Very Common

Common

Dizziness

Very Common

Not known

Headache

Very Common

Not known

Convulsion

Common

Not known

Encephalopathy, Wernicke encephalopathy

Not known

Not known

Eye disorders

Vision blurred

Common

Not known

Cardiac disorders

Tachycardia

Very Common

Common

Pericardial effusion

Common

Common

Ventricular extrasystoles

Common

Not known

Cardiac failure

Not known

Not known

Ventricular tachycardia

Not known

Not known

Vascular disorders

Vasculitis

Common

Common

Hypotension

Common

Not known

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Differentiation syndrome

Very Common

Very Common

Dyspnoea

Very Common

Common

Hypoxia

Common

Common

Pleural effusion

Common

Common

Pleuritic pain

Common

Common

Pulmonary alveolar haemorrhage

Common

Common

Pneumonitis

Not known

Not known

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Very Common

Common

Vomiting

Very Common

Not known

Nausea

Very Common

Not known

Abdominal pain

Common

Common

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Pruritus

Very Common

Not known

Rash

Very Common

Not known

Erythema

Common

Common

Face oedema

Common

Not known

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Myalgia

Very Common

Common

Arthralgia

Common

Common

Bone pain

Common

Common

Renal and urinary disorders

Renal failure

Common

Not known

General disorders and administration site conditions

Pyrexia

Very Common

Common

Pain

Very Common

Common

Fatigue

Very Common

Not known

Oedema

Very Common

Not known

Chest pain

Common

Common

Chills

Common

Not known

Investigations

Alanine amino transferase increased

Very Common

Common

Aspartate amino transferase increased

Very Common

Common

Electrocardiogram QT prolonged

Very Common

Common

Hyperbilirubinaemia

Common

Common

Blood creatinine increased

Common

Not known

Weight increased

Common

Not known

Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased*

Not known*

Not known*

*In the CALGB study C9710, 2 cases of grade ≥3 increased GGT were reported out of the 200 patients who received TRISENOX consolidation cycles (cycle 1 and cycle 2) versus none in the control arm.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Differentiation syndrome

During TRISENOX treatment, 14 of the 52 patients in the APL studies in the relapsed setting had one or more symptoms of APL differentiation syndrome, characterised by fever, dyspnoea, weight gain, pulmonary infiltrates and pleural or pericardial effusions, with or without leukocytosis (see section 4.4). Twenty-seven patients had leukocytosis (WBC ≥ 10 x 103/μl) during induction, 4 of whom had values above 100,000/μl. Baseline white blood cell (WBC) counts did not correlate with development of leukocytosis on study, and WBC counts during consolidation therapy were not as high as during induction. In these studies, leukocytosis was not treated with chemotherapeutic medicinal products. Medicinal products that are used to lower the white blood cell count often exacerbate the toxicities associated with leukocytosis, and no standard approach has proven effective. One patient treated under a compassionate use program died from cerebral infarct due to leukocytosis, following treatment with chemotherapeutic medicinal products to lower WBC count. Observation is the recommended approach with intervention only in selected cases.

Mortality in the pivotal studies in the relapsed setting from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated haemorrhage was very common (> 10%), which is consistent with the early mortality reported in the literature.

In post marketing experience, a differentiation syndrome, like retinoic acid syndrome, has also been reported for the treatment of malignancies other than APL with TRISENOX.

QT interval prolongation

Arsenic trioxide can cause QT interval prolongation (see section 4.4). QT prolongation can lead to a torsade de pointes-type ventricular arrhythmia, which can be fatal. The risk of torsade de pointes is related to the extent of QT prolongation, concomitant administration of QT prolonging medicinal products, a history of torsade de pointes, preexisting QT interval prolongation, congestive heart failure, administration of potassium-wasting diuretics, or other conditions that result in hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia. One patient (receiving multiple, concomitant medicinal products, including amphotericin B) had asymptomatic torsade de pointes during induction therapy for relapsed APL with arsenic trioxide. She went onto consolidation without further evidence of QT prolongation.

In newly diagnosed patients, with low to intermediate risk APL, QTc prolongation was observed in 15.6 %. In one patient induction treatment was terminated because of severe prolongation of the QTc interval and electrolyte abnormalities on day 3.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy, characterised by paresthesia/dysesthesia, is a common and well known effect of environmental arsenic. Only 2 relapsed/refractory APL patients discontinued treatment early due to this adverse event and one went on to receive additional TRISENOX on a subsequent protocol. Forty-four percent of relapsed/refractory APL patients experienced symptoms that could be associated with neuropathy; most were mild to moderate and were reversible upon cessation of treatment with TRISENOX.

Hepatotoxicity (grade 3-4)

In newly diagnosed patients with low to intermediate risk APL 63.2 % developed grade 3 or 4 hepatic toxic effects during induction or consolidation treatment with TRISENOX in combination with ATRA. However, toxic effects resolved with temporary discontinuation of either TRISENOX, ATRA or both (see section 4.4).

Haematological and gastrointestinal toxicity

In newly diagnosed patients with low to intermediate risk APL, gastrointestinal toxicity, grade 3-4 neutropenia and grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred, however these were 2.2 times less frequent in patients treated with TRISENOX in combination with ATRA compared to patients treated with ATRA + chemotherapy.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

If symptoms suggestive of serious acute arsenic toxicity (e.g. convulsions, muscle weakness and confusion) appear, TRISENOX must be immediately discontinued and chelating therapy with penicillamine at a daily dose ≤ 1 gm per day may be considered. The duration of treatment with penicillamine must be evaluated taking into account the urinary arsenic laboratory values. For patients who cannot take oral medicinal product, dimercaprol administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg intramuscularly every 4 hours until any immediately life-threatening toxicity has subsided may be considered. Thereafter, penicillamine at a daily dose ≤ 1 gm per day may be given. In the presence of coagulopathy, the oral administration of the chelating agent Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Succimer (DCI) 10 mg/kg or 350 mg/m2 every 8 hours during 5 days and then every 12 hours during 2 weeks is recommended. For patients with severe, acute arsenic overdose, dialysis should be considered

TRISENOX has been investigated in 77 newly diagnosed patients with low to intermediate risk APL, in a controlled, randomized, non-inferiority Phase 3 clinical study comparing the efficacy and safety of TRISENOX combined with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) with those of ATRA+chemotherapy (eg, idarubicin and mitoxantrone) (Study APL0406). Patients with newly diagnosed APL confirmed by the presence of t(15; 17) or PML-RARα by RT-PCR or micro speckled PML nuclear distribution in leukemic cells were included. No data are available on patient with variant translocations like t(11;17) (PLZF/RARα). Patients with significant arrhythmias, EKG abnormalities (congenital long QT syndrome, history or presence of significant ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmia, clinically significant resting bradycardia (<50 beats per minute), QTc > 450 msec on screening EKG, right bundle branch block plus left anterior hemiblock, bifascicular block) or neuropathy were excluded from the study. Patients in the ATRA+ TRISENOX treatment group received oral ATRA at 45 mg/m2 daily and iv TRISENOX at 0.15 mg/kg daily until CR. During consolidation, ATRA was given at the same dose for periods of 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off for a total of 7 courses, and TRISENOX was given at the same dose 5 days per week, 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off, for a total of 4 courses. Patients in the ATRA+chemotherapy treatment group received iv idarubicin at 12 mg/m2 on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 and oral ATRA at 45 mg/m2 daily until CR. During consolidation, patients received idarubicin at 5 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and ATRA at 45 mg/m2 daily for 15 days, then iv mitoxantrone at 10 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5 and ATRA again at 45 mg/m2 daily for 15 days, and finally a single dose of idarubicin at 12 mg/m2 and ATRA at 45 mg/m2 daily for 15 days. Each course of consolidation was initiated at hematological recovery from the previous course defined as absolute neutrophil count >1.5×109/L and platelets >100×109/L. Patients in the ATRA+chemotherapy treatment group also received maintenance treatment for up to 2 years, consisting of oral 6-mercaptopurine at 50 mg/m2 daily, intramuscular methotrexate at 15 mg/m2 weekly, and ATRA at 45 mg/m2 daily for 15 days every 3 months.

The key efficacy results are summarised in table 3 below:

Table 3

Endpoint

ATRA + TRISENOX

(n = 77)

[%]

ATRA + Chemotherapy

(n = 79)

[%]

Confidence interval (CI)

P-value

2-Year event-free survival (EFS)

97

86

95 % CI for the difference, 2-22 percentage points

p<0.001

for noninferiority

p = 0.02

for superiority of ATRA+TRISENOX

Hematologic complete remission (HCR)

100

95

p = 0.12

2-Year overall survival (OS)

99

91

p = 0.02

2-Year disease-free survival (DFS)

97

90

p = 0.11

2-Year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR)

1

6

p = 0.24

Relapsed/refractory APL

TRISENOX has been investigated in 52 APL patients, previously treated with an anthracycline and a retinoid regimen, in two open-label, single-arm, non-comparative studies. One was a single investigator clinical study (n=12) and the other was a multicentre, 9-institution study (n=40). Patients in the first study received a median dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day of TRISENOX (range 0.06 to 0.20 mg/kg/day) and patients in the multicentre study received a fixed dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day. TRISENOX was administered intravenously over 1 to 2 hours until the bone marrow was free of leukaemic cells, up to a maximum of 60 days. Patients with complete remission received consolidation therapy with TRISENOX for 25 additional doses over a 5 week period. Consolidation therapy began 6 weeks (range, 3-8) after induction in the single institution study and 4 weeks (range, 3-6) in the multicentre study. Complete remission (CR) was defined as the absence of visible leukaemic cells in the bone marrow and peripheral recovery of platelets and white blood cells.

Patients in the single centre study had relapsed following 1-6 prior therapy regimens and 2 patients had relapsed following stem cell transplantation. Patients in the multicentre study had relapsed following 1-4 prior therapy regimens and 5 patients had relapsed following stem cell transplantation. The median age in the single centre study was 33 years (age range 9 to 75). The median age in the multicentre study was 40 years (age range 5 to 73).

The results are summarised in the table 4 below.

Table 4

Single centre trial

N=12

Multicentre trial

N=40

TRISENOX dose, mg/kg/day (median, range)

0.16 (0.06 – 0.20)

0.15

Complete remission

11 (92%)

34 (85%)

Time to bone marrow remission (median)

32 days

35 days

Time to CR (median)

54 days

59 days

18-Month survival

67%

66%

The single institution study included 2 paediatric patients (< 18 years old), both of whom achieved CR. The multicentre trial included 5 paediatric patients (< 18 years old), 3 of whom achieved CR. No children of less than 5 years of age were treated.

In a follow-up treatment after consolidation, 7 patients in the single institution study and 18 patients in the multicentre study received further maintenance therapy with TRISENOX. Three patients from the single institution study and 15 patients from the multicentre study had stem cell transplants after completing TRISENOX. The Kaplan-Meier median CR duration for the single institution study is 14 months and has not been reached for the multicentre study. At last follow-up, 6 of 12 patients in the single institution study were alive with a median follow-up time of 28 months (range 25 to 29). In the multicentre study 27 of 40 patients were alive with a median follow-up time of 16 months (range 9 to 25). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 18-month survival for each study are shown below.

Responses were seen across all age groups tested, ranging from 6 to 75 years. The response rate was similar for both genders. There is no experience on the effect of TRISENOX on the variant APL containing the t(11;17) and t(5;17) chromosomal translocations.

Paediatric population

The experience in children is limited. Of 7 patients under 18 years of age (range 5 to 16 years) treated with TRISENOX at the recommended dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day, 5 patients achieved a complete response (see section 4.2).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

The inorganic, lyophilized form of arsenic trioxide, when placed into solution, immediately forms the hydrolysis product arsenious acid (AsIII). AsIII is the pharmacologically active species of arsenic trioxide.

Distribution

The volume of distribution (Vd) for AsIII is large (>400 l) indicating significant distribution into the tissues with negligible protein binding. Vd is also weight dependent, increasing with increasing body weight. Total arsenic accumulates mainly in the liver, kidney, and heart and, to a lesser extent, in the lung, hair, and nails.

Biotransformation

The metabolism of arsenic trioxide involves oxidation of arsenious acid (AsIII), the active species of arsenic trioxide, to arsenic acid (AsV), as well as oxidative methylation to monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) by methyltransferases, primarily in the liver. The pentavalent metabolites, MMAV and DMAV, are slow to appear in plasma (approximately 10-24 hours after first administration of arsenic trioxide), but due to their longer half-life, accumulate more upon multiple dosing than does AsIII. The extent of accumulation of these metabolites is dependent on the dosing regimen. Approximate accumulation ranged from 1.4- to 8-fold following multiple as compared to single dose administration. AsV is present in plasma only at relatively low levels.

In vitro enzymatic studies with human liver microsomes revealed that arsenic trioxide has no inhibitory activity on substrates of the major cytochrome P450 enzymes such as 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4/5, 4A9/11. Substances that are substrates for these P450 enzymes are not expected to interact with TRISENOX.

Elimination

Approximately 15% of the administered TRISENOX dose is excreted in the urine as unchanged AsIII. The methylated metabolites of AsIII (MMAV, DMAV) are primarily excreted in the urine. The plasma concentration of AsIII declines from peak plasma concentration in a biphasic manner with a mean terminal elimination half-life of 10 to 14 hours. The total clearance of AsIII over the single-dose range of 7-32 mg (administered as 0.15 mg/kg) is 49 l/h and the renal clearance is 9 l/h. Clearance is not dependent on the weight of the subject or the dose administered over the dose range studied. The mean estimated terminal elimination half-lives of the metabolites MMAV and DMAV are 32 hours and 70 hours, respectively.

Renal impairment

Plasma clearance of AsIII was not altered in patients with mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 50-80 ml/min) or moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30-49 ml/min). The plasma clearance of AsIII in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min) was 40% lower when compared with patients with normal renal function (see section 4.4).

Systemic exposure to MMAV and DMAV tended to be larger in patients with renal impairment; the clinical consequence of this is unknown but no increased toxicity was noted.

Hepatic impairment

Pharmacokinetic data from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma having mild to moderate hepatic impairment indicate that AsIII or AsV do not accumulate following twice-weekly infusions. No clear trend toward an increase in systemic exposure to AsIII, AsV, MMAV or DMAV was observed with decreasing level of hepatic function as assessed by dose-normalized (per mg dose) AUC.

Linearity/non-linearity

In the total single dose range of 7 to 32 mg (administered as 0.15 mg/kg), systemic exposure (AUC) appears to be linear. The decline from peak plasma concentration of AsIII occurs in a biphasic manner and is characterized by an initial rapid distribution phase followed by a slower terminal elimination phase. After administration at 0.15 mg/kg on a daily (n=6) or twice-weekly (n=3) regimen, an approximate 2-fold accumulation of AsIII was observed as compared to a single infusion. This accumulation was slightly more than expected based on single-dose results.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Limited reproductive toxicity studies of arsenic trioxide in animals indicate embryotoxicity and teratogenicity (neural tube defects, anophthalmia and microphthalmia) at administration of 1-10 times the recommended clinical dose (mg/m2). Fertility studies have not been conducted with TRISENOX. Arsenic compounds induce chromosomal aberrations and morphological transformations of mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. No formal carcinogenicity studies of arsenic trioxide have been performed. However, arsenic trioxide and other inorganic arsenic compounds are recognised as human carcinogens.

6. Pharmaceutical particulars

6.1 List of excipients

Sodium hydroxide

Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)

Water for injections

6.2 Incompatibilities

In the absence of incompatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

6.3 Shelf life

TRISENOX 1 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion

4 years.

TRISENOX 2 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion

3 years.

After dilution in intravenous solutions, TRISENOX is chemically and physically stable for 24 hours at 15 °C-30 °C and 48 hours at refrigerated (2°C-8C) temperatures. From a microbiological point of view, the product must be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 °C-8 °C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

For storage conditions after dilution of the medicinal products, see section 6.3.

Aseptic technique must be strictly observed throughout handling of TRISENOX since no preservative is present.

TRISENOX must be diluted with 100 to 250 ml of glucose 50 mg/ml (5%) solution for injection or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection immediately after withdrawal from the ampoule or vial.

TRISENOX must not be mixed with or concomitantly administered in the same intravenous line with other medicinal products.

The diluted solution must be clear and colourless. All parenteral solutions must be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Do not use the preparation if foreign particulate matter is present.

Procedure for proper disposal

TRISENOX is for single use only and any unused portions of each ampoule or of each vial must be discarded properly. Do not save any unused portions for later administration.

Any unused medicinal product, any items that come into contact with the product, or waste material must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. Marketing authorisation holder

Teva B.V.

Swensweg 5

2031 GA Haarlem

Netherlands

8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

TRISENOX 1 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion

EU/1/02/204/001

TRISENOX 2 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion

EU/1/02/204/002

9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

Date of first authorisation: 05 March 2002

Date of latest renewal: 05 March 2007

10. Date of revision of the text

27/05/2019

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.